How Do You Create a Label on Gmail?

AvatarByMarc Shaw Sticker Labels & Printing

In today’s fast-paced digital world, managing your email efficiently is more important than ever. Gmail, one of the most popular email services globally, offers a variety of tools designed to help users stay organized and productive. Among these tools, creating labels stands out as a simple yet powerful way to categorize and streamline your inbox, making it easier to find important messages when you need them.

Whether you’re juggling work projects, personal correspondence, or newsletters, labels can transform a cluttered inbox into a well-ordered system tailored to your unique needs. By using labels, you can group related emails together without deleting or archiving them, giving you quick access to conversations and files that matter most. This approach not only saves time but also reduces the stress that often comes with email overload.

Understanding how to create and use labels effectively can elevate your Gmail experience, allowing you to take control of your communication flow. In the following sections, we’ll explore the basics of setting up labels and how they can be customized to fit your organizational style, helping you make the most out of your Gmail account.

How to Manage and Customize Your Gmail Labels

Once you have created labels in Gmail, managing and customizing them effectively can significantly improve your email organization. Gmail offers several options that allow you to tailor labels to your workflow and ensure your inbox remains clear and accessible.

To manage your labels, start by navigating to the left sidebar where your labels are listed. Hover over the label you want to modify and click the three vertical dots (More options). Here, you can:

  • Edit the label name: Change the label title to better reflect its purpose.
  • Change label color: Assign a color to your label to make it visually distinctive. Colors help you quickly identify categories or priorities.
  • Show or hide in label list: Decide if the label should always be visible in the sidebar, only when it contains unread messages, or be completely hidden.
  • Show or hide in message list: Control whether the label appears next to emails in your inbox or other folders.
  • Remove the label: Delete the label entirely if it is no longer needed. Note that removing a label does not delete the emails associated with it.

You can also nest labels under other labels to create a hierarchical structure. This is useful for grouping related topics or projects together. To nest a label, create a new label and select the “Nest label under” option, then choose the parent label.

Using Gmail Labels to Automate Email Organization

Labels become even more powerful when combined with Gmail’s filtering rules. Filters automatically apply labels to incoming messages based on criteria you specify, such as sender, subject keywords, or recipient.

To create a filter that applies a label:

  • Click the gear icon in Gmail and select See all settings.
  • Go to the Filters and Blocked Addresses tab.
  • Click Create a new filter.
  • Define your filter criteria (e.g., emails from a specific address or containing certain words).
  • Click Create filter.
  • Check Apply the label, and select the label you want to assign.
  • Optionally, check Also apply filter to matching conversations to label existing emails.
  • Click Create filter to finalize.

Filters can also automate other tasks such as archiving, marking as read, or forwarding emails, enabling a hands-free approach to inbox management.

Filter Criteria Possible Actions Benefits
From a specific email address Apply label, mark as important, archive Prioritizes important contacts, reduces clutter
Subject contains keywords Apply label, forward, mark as read Organizes projects or topics automatically
Sent to specific group or mailing list Apply label, skip inbox Keeps mailing list emails out of inbox but accessible

Best Practices for Effective Label Usage in Gmail

To maximize the benefits of Gmail labels, consider these best practices:

  • Keep labels concise and descriptive: Use clear, meaningful names so you can quickly identify categories.
  • Limit the number of top-level labels: Too many labels at the root level can become overwhelming. Use nested labels to group related ones.
  • Use colors strategically: Assign colors to labels based on priority or type. For example, use red for urgent emails and blue for informational.
  • Regularly review and prune labels: Periodically delete or merge labels that are no longer useful to maintain a streamlined system.
  • Combine with other Gmail features: Use labels alongside stars, importance markers, and filters to create a comprehensive email management strategy.
  • Avoid label overload: Applying too many labels to a single email can complicate searching and filtering.

By following these guidelines, your Gmail labels can transform your inbox from a chaotic space into a well-organized hub tailored to your communication needs.

Steps to Create a Label in Gmail

Creating labels in Gmail enables effective organization of your emails, allowing you to categorize messages and retrieve them easily. The process is straightforward and can be done via the Gmail web interface or mobile applications.

Follow these detailed steps to create a label in Gmail using the desktop version:

  • Access Gmail: Open your preferred web browser and navigate to mail.google.com. Sign in with your Google account credentials if you are not already logged in.
  • Locate the Labels Section: On the left sidebar, scroll down until you find the “Labels” section. If it is collapsed, click More to expand it.
  • Create a New Label: Click on the “Create new label” link, typically found near the bottom of the sidebar.
  • Enter Label Name: In the dialog box that appears, type the desired name for your label. Choose a name that clearly represents the category or purpose of emails you will assign to this label.
  • Optional: Nest Label: If you want to create a sub-label under an existing label (a nested label), check the box labeled “Nest label under” and select the parent label from the dropdown menu.
  • Create Label: Click the Create button to finalize the label.

The new label will now appear in your labels list on the sidebar, ready to be applied to emails.

Applying Labels to Emails

After creating labels, you can apply them to individual or multiple emails. This enhances your email management by grouping related emails under specific categories.

  • Select Emails: In your inbox or any folder, click the checkbox next to one or more emails you want to label.
  • Label Icon: Click the Label icon (looks like a tag) located above the email list.
  • Choose Label: From the dropdown menu, select one or multiple labels to assign to the selected emails.
  • Apply: Click Apply to attach the labels to the emails.

Alternatively, when viewing an individual email, you can find the label icon at the top toolbar to assign or change labels for that specific message.

Managing and Editing Labels

Gmail provides options to manage your labels, including renaming, changing colors, or deleting labels to keep your mailbox organized and up to date.

Action How to Perform Notes
Rename Label
  1. Hover over the label in the sidebar.
  2. Click the three vertical dots (More options).
  3. Select Edit.
  4. Enter the new label name and save.
 Renaming updates all emails tagged with the original label.
Change Label Color
  1. Hover over the label.
  2. Click the three dots.
  3. Choose Label color.
  4. Select a preset color or create a custom color.
 Color coding enhances visual identification of labels.
Delete Label
  1. Hover over the label.
  2. Click the three dots.
  3. Select Remove label.
  4. Confirm the deletion.
 Deleting a label removes it from all emails but does not delete the emails themselves.

Creating and Managing Labels on Mobile Devices

The Gmail mobile app supports label creation and management with a slightly different interface. This functionality is essential for users who primarily access Gmail on smartphones or tablets.

  • Create a Label:
    • Open the Gmail app.
    • Tap the Menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top-left corner.
    • Scroll down and select Settings.
    • Choose your email account.
    • Tap Label settings or Manage labels (options may vary by OS).
    • Look for a Create new label option and enter the label name.
    • Save the new label.
  • Apply Labels: Open an email, tap the three dots in the top-right corner, select Change labels, and choose the desired labels.
  • Edit or Delete Labels: In the label management section, tap on a label to modify its settings or delete it.

Note that label management features on mobile may

Expert Insights on How To Create A Label On Gmail

Jessica Lin (Email Productivity Consultant, Inbox Mastery Solutions). Creating labels in Gmail is essential for efficient email management. To create a label, users should navigate to the left sidebar, click on “More,” then select “Create new label.” Naming the label clearly and nesting it under existing labels can further enhance organization and streamline workflow.

Dr. Marcus Ellington (Digital Communication Specialist, TechStream Institute). Utilizing Gmail labels effectively allows users to categorize emails dynamically without moving them from the inbox. The creation process is straightforward but powerful: accessing the settings menu or the sidebar label option offers quick access. Proper label use can significantly reduce clutter and improve retrieval times.

Priya Nair (User Experience Designer, CloudMail Innovations). From a UX perspective, Gmail’s labeling system is intuitive yet underutilized. When creating a label, users should consider their email habits and choose label names that reflect their priorities. Additionally, combining labels with filters automates organization, making the label creation step a foundational part of personal email management strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I create a new label in Gmail?
To create a new label, open Gmail, click on “More” in the left sidebar, then select “Create new label.” Enter your desired label name and click “Create.”

Can I nest labels within other labels in Gmail?
Yes, Gmail allows you to create nested labels. When creating or editing a label, check the option “Nest label under” and select the parent label.

How do I apply a label to an email automatically?
Use Gmail filters to apply labels automatically. Go to Settings > Filters and Blocked Addresses > Create a new filter, define your criteria, and choose “Apply the label” during filter setup.

Is it possible to edit or rename an existing label in Gmail?
Yes, you can rename a label by hovering over it in the sidebar, clicking the three-dot menu, selecting “Edit,” and entering the new label name.

How can I remove a label from an email without deleting the email?
Open the email, click the label icon at the top, uncheck the label you want to remove, and the email will remain in your inbox or other folders.

Are Gmail labels visible to recipients when I send an email?
No, labels are for your personal organization within Gmail and are not visible to email recipients.
Creating a label on Gmail is a straightforward process that helps users organize their emails efficiently. By accessing the Gmail interface, navigating to the “Labels” section, and selecting the option to create a new label, users can categorize their messages based on specific criteria or topics. This functionality enhances email management by allowing for quick sorting, filtering, and retrieval of emails.

Labels in Gmail function similarly to folders but offer greater flexibility since multiple labels can be applied to a single email. This system supports improved productivity and streamlined communication, especially for users handling large volumes of emails. Additionally, labels can be nested, enabling a hierarchical structure for even more detailed organization.

Overall, mastering the creation and use of labels in Gmail is an essential skill for effective email management. It reduces clutter, enhances workflow efficiency, and ensures important messages are easily accessible. Implementing labels thoughtfully can significantly improve how users interact with their inbox, leading to a more organized and productive email experience.

Author Profile

Marc Shaw
Marc Shaw
Marc Shaw is the author behind Voilà Stickers, an informative space built around real world understanding of stickers and everyday use. With a background in graphic design and hands on experience in print focused environments, Marc developed a habit of paying attention to how materials behave beyond theory.

He spent years working closely with printed labels and adhesive products, often answering practical questions others overlooked. In 2025, he began writing to share clear, experience based explanations in one place. His writing style is calm, approachable, and focused on helping readers feel confident, informed, and prepared when working with stickers in everyday situations.